Action alert
5/7/07
Show your support for Massachusetts sentencing reform!
Attend hearing on May 16 at 9:45 a.m. at the Mass. State House
For years, members of Massachusetts Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) have fought hard for mandatory sentencing reform by attending legislative hearings at the Massachusetts State House. Once again, we need you to attend a hearing before the Senate Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, May 16, so that lawmakers see there is widespread public support for reform.
Attend hearing on May 16
Please make plans to take the day off work or arrange your schedule so you can attend the hearing on May 16, 2007. FAMM members will meet outside of hearing room B-2 in the basement of the Massachusetts State House at 9:45 a.m., and the hearing will begin at 10 a.m. We don't know how long we will have to wait, so please make arrangements to be there for several hours, though it might be shorter.
What is FAMM's purpose at the hearing?
To make sure lawmakers see there is widespread public support for reform!
Sen. Cynthia Creem’s bill, S. 1379, is on the hearing agenda. Though FAMM is very concerned about the details of the post-release supervision provisions of the bill, there are elements of the bill that we do support. Those provisions include early parole eligibility for people serving mandatory minimum drug sentences and good time. In addition, the hearing is an important opportunity to talk about the need to repeal mandatory minimum drug sentences! We will be sending more details to you before the hearing.
We urge you to attend the hearing to ensure legislators get the message that now is the time for reform! Numbers count and legislators will pay attention to how many people attend this hearing to call for reform!
Please note that FAMM does support Sen. Creem’s bill, S. 884, currently pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has the same early parole eligibility language as S. 1379, but does not include post-release supervision provisions that could extend sentences beyond the maximum term imposed by the judge. We will notify you when hearings on that bill are scheduled.
Yes! I will attend
Please confirm that you will join us on May 16 with Marie Russo, Massachusetts FAMM coordinator, at (781) 334-5947. Please also call Marie, if you have any questions or concerns.
FAMM will keep you updated on sentencing reform bills through emails and our website, www.famm.org. Please share this alert with your friends and family.
Together, we can change mandatory sentencing laws!
Sincerely,
Laura Sager, National Campaign Director
Lynn Holbein and Marie Russo, Mass. FAMM